Knitting a balaclava

[An archist]

Does anyone have an idea how to knit a balaclava?

[ColonelCossack]

Isn't it like a sock but with 2 holes instead of one?

I've never knitted anything in my life, though.

[Sasha]

Knitting no, but why would you, knitted facemasks are extremely uncomfortable.
Sewing them is extremely easy though:
Get some not to strechy fabric in your preferred colour, fold it till you have a thick stack of 20 by 20 cm squares, get your old balaclava and lay it "en profile" on the fabric, trace the silhouette with about 1 cm extra. Cut. You now have a load of half balaclavas. Take two and sew them except where the eye hole is on top of each other. Trim the excess fabric. Turn inside out. Riot.

[Sasha]

Some pink balaclavas with matching banner I once made for a pink themed squat demo in nijmegen:
https://www.indymedia.nl/img/2008/06/52852.jpg
https://www.indymedia.nl/img/2008/06/52790.jpg
:D

[CommieTroll]

Don't they cost around £5 at most headshops?

[An archist]

Don't they cost around £5 at most headshops?

Yes, but I want to get one in specific colors.

It's also nice to know that Gandalf and Bin Laden are supporting squatters in Nijmegen.

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

just get a facemask and a hat

[ellipsis]

The Zapatistas knit their balaclavas, ends up with a pom pom on top. I liked the one I had.

[brigadista]

post a picture - what sort of balaclava?

[Robespierre Richard]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Transformers-Boys-Ski-Mask-Beanie-and-Glove-Set/17164287

I think this is good. Comes with gloves too, for smashing storefronts.

[brigadista]

so buy it!! knittings complicated:):):)

[Ele'ill]

Buy a 1.99 USD neck warmer and wear a 1.99 winter cap. But I guess this wasn't your question.

[bcbm]

just get some old t shirts from a thrift store and ninja mask it. if its for actual 'shit' you dont really want something you put effort into, you want something you can toss in the trash

[Decolonize The Left]

just get some old t shirts from a thrift store and ninja mask it. if its for actual 'shit' you dont really want something you put effort into, you want something you can toss in the trash

I concur. A simple black (or any colored) t-shirt is the best option. Versatile, easily replaceable, and perfectly acceptable for coverage, it's superior to something you feel like you need to buy/keep and therefore might jeopardize the safety of yourself and others.

- August

[bcbm]

if its for a fashion statement just dont

[An archist]

I appreciate all the comments from people who want to help me hide my identity, but I don't need help in that department.
It's for a fashion statement, I want one in the colors of my football club. :cool:

Theredson, I'll check, maybe they've got a pattern online or something.

[Prometeo liberado]

If your team sucks then maybe you do want to hide your face?

[An archist]

for those of you who might be interested:
http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/2009/01/easy-balaclava-this-pattern-was-part-of.html

[An archist]

If your team sucks then maybe you do want to hide your face?
Also, funny, but no.

[ВАЛТЕР]

Just get yourself a keffiyeh. I have one and it is awesome. You can wear it as a scarf for when it is cold, and you can turn it into a mask if need be pretty easily.

[An archist]

Just get yourself a keffiyeh. I have one and it is awesome. You can wear it as a scarf for when it is cold, and you can turn it into a mask if need be pretty easily.

A keffiyeh to hide your face is so nineties.
Nowadays, you either use a buff or a t-shirt sleeve.

[ВАЛТЕР]

A keffiyeh to hide your face is so nineties.
Nowadays, you either use a buff or a t-shirt sleeve.

Lol idk I don't keep up with fashion. I also have a bag full of black ski masks, and some t-shirt sleeves.

I just like my keffiyeh because it is cold outside now and it is always around my neck keeping me warm.

[ellipsis]

A keffiyeh to hide your face is so nineties.


I still rock a kefiyeh sometimes, i tie it right, i.e. just my eyes showing. I dig it. I think it is pyschologically powerful, some cops being veterans and all.

[tanklv]

You know, every time I pass this thread in the home page, I see "baklava" and get real hungry...

[Comrade Gwydion]

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/balaclava-3 indeed leads to the same posted before. I say, do knit yours, knitting is fun :p

Here's two links to a WWI pattern of a balaclava:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wwi-balaclavas
http://www.hjsstudio.com/redbala.html

I could link you to some decent books if you want to learn to knit. I'm not a knitter myself, although I know how-to. My GF knit a lot though, so if I wanted something knitted she can almost knit me a sweater in the time it takes me to knit the first three rows :P